Columbia Pictures has tapped District 9 director Neill Blomkamp to write and direct a new Starship Troopers film, according to The Hollywood Reporter, giving the franchise its first live-action entry since 2008’s Starship Troopers 3: Marauder.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Neill Blomkamp ("District 9") has been tapped to write and direct a new version of "Starship Troopers," last adapted in 1997 by sci-fi satirist Paul Verhoeven. Blomkamp will also produce the film alongside his wife and longtime collaborator Terri Tatchell.

Neill Blomkamp is doing his part. The “District 9” and “Chappie” filmmaker is attached to write and direct a new film adaptation of “Starship Troopers,” the 1959 sci-fi novel by Robert A. Heinlein that was memorably brought to theaters by director Paul Verhoeven with the 1997 satirical spectacle of the same name.